Dishwasher support structures

Abstract

Support structures for dishwashers are disclosed. An example dishwasher for treating dishes according to a cycle of operation includes a tub defining a treating chamber with an opening, a frame coupled to and structurally supporting at least a portion of the tub, a dish rack mount coupled to the frame, and a dish rack coupled to the dish rack mount, wherein the weight of the dish rack is substantially borne by the frame.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A dishwasher for treating dishes according to a cycle of operation, the dishwasher comprising:
 a tub defining a treating chamber with an opening; 
 a frame coupled to and structurally supporting at least a portion of the tub, wherein the frame comprises a front collar coupled to the tub around the opening, a first bracket supported by the front collar and extending along an exterior of the tub and a second bracket exterior to the tub; 
 a first dish rack mount coupled to the frame; 
 a second dish rack mount coupled to the second bracket; 
 a first dish rack coupled to the dish rack mount, wherein the weight of the first dish rack is substantially borne by the frame, and wherein the weight of the first dish rack is transferred to the front collar by the first bracket; 
 a second dish rack coupled to the second dish rack mount, wherein the weight of the second dish rack is substantially borne by the second bracket; and 
 a base, wherein the weight of the first dish rack is transferred from the front collar to the base via the second bracket. 
 
     
     
       2. A dishwasher as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the front collar comprises a slot, and the first bracket comprises a tab corresponding to the slot. 
     
     
       3. A dishwasher as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a sheet metal clinching joint to couple the first bracket to the front collar. 
     
     
       4. A dishwasher as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the second bracket is coupled to the front collar. 
     
     
       5. A dishwasher as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the tub comprises a thermal formed plastic. 
     
     
       6. A dishwasher as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a fastener passing through the tub to couple the first dish rack mount to the frame. 
     
     
       7. A dishwasher as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises:
 a U-shaped support member supported by the front collar and extending along an exterior of the tub, wherein the weight of the first dish rack and the weight of a second dish rack are transferred to the front collar by the support member. 
 
     
     
       8. A dishwasher as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the tub comprises a divider that divides the chamber into first and second chambers, wherein the divider is coupled to the frame, and the weight of the divider is substantially borne by the frame.